Ongoing Legislation:

SurgeonsVoice Advocacy Center is an effective mechanism to write your Representatives and Senators regarding surgeon specific issues. About SurgeonsVoice | ACS

The California Medical Association is also on the front lines of sharing physician concerns and provides information regarding ongoing legislation.  Grassroots Action Center

CA ACS Legislative Updates

Educational Development (in progress):

• Electric Bicycle Injury Prevention Toolkit
• Fall Prevention Toolkit
• Opioid Disposal Toolkit
• Human Trafficking Toolkit for Healthcare Providers for Identification and Support

* Thank you to Hiyori S. Roberts, BS, MS; Audrey R. Yang, BA, MPH for their hard work creating the Fall Prevention Toolkit.

* Thank you to Gillian Li, BS; Gisselle Quiroz, BA; Margaret Canady, BA; Gina Klemm, MPH; Erika Azpeitia, MPH for their hard work creating the Opioid Disposal Toolkit.

SCCACS Advocacy Committee

Chair – Sigrid Burruss, MD, FACS
UCI

Thomas Duncan, DO, FACS
Ventura County Medical Center

Sammy Eghbalieh, MD, FACS
Southern CA Multispecialty Center

Lorraine Kelley-Quon, MD, FACS
CHLA/USC

Hari Keshava, MD
UCI

John Lam, MD, FACS
Southern CA Permanente Medical Group

Ignition Interlock Devices

SoCal ACS is part of the Safe CA Roads to reduce driving under the influence to reduce injuries and death. You may join the Safe CA Roads Coalition here: Safe CA Roads | Official Website – Assemblywoman Cottie Petrie-Norris.  We are supporting AB 1830 (Petrie-Norris) to require ignition interlock devices for all convicted drunk driver offenders. Bill Text – AB-1830 Ignition interlock devices.

Prehospital Blood, RMOCCs and Emergency Preparedness

Upcoming initiatives include development of pre-hospital blood programs and development of a National Trauma Emergency Preparedness System.  To learn more please see:

National Trauma Emergency Preparedness System | ACS

Improving Access to Prehospital Blood May Save 10,000 Lives a Year | ACS

Regional Medical Operations Coordination Centers (RMOCCs) | ACS

Physician Wellness

AB 408 would establish a physician health program in CA.  This is supported by the CMA and CA ACS is working on adding additional language so that mandated reporting is not required.  We recently held public testimony during the CA Medical Board meeting however no date is set for a judicial committee hearing at this time.

If interested, please contact Senator Umberg’s Office on 916-651-4034 and use the text below.

“I am a physician in ________, and I am calling to urge your support for AB 408 (Berman). California is one of the only states without a Physician Health Program. This bill would create a confidential, evidence-based program that helps physicians address health challenges and remain safe to practice. When physicians can access support without fear of discipline, everyone benefits — including our patients. Please vote YES on AB 408.”

During the Summit, SCCACS Advocacy Committee Chair, Dr. Sigrid Burruss, was honored with the 2026 ACS Advocate of the Year Award. Burruss, who has long been a strong voice for surgical issues, is an Associate Professor, Division of Trauma, Burns, Surgical Critical Care and Acute Care Surgery and the Vice Chair of Education, Surgery, at UC Irvine School of Medicine. Burruss has been the Chair of the SCCACS Advocacy Committee since 2023 and a co-Chair of the Joint Advocacy Committee of the ACS California Chapters (JAC-ACSCC).

Sigrid Burruss, MD, FACS, Wins Advocacy Award